City of San Antonio Honors Lives Lost to Domestic Violence

CONTACT: Rudy Arispe
(210) 207-8172

SAN ANTONIO (October 25, 2021) - City officials gathered on the steps of City Hall today to remember the lives lost to domestic violence over the past year as part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month observed each year in October. They also highlighted City programs and services available to those experiencing domestic violence.
According to the Texas Council on Family Violence, 228 Texans died because of domestic violence last year, a 23% increase from 2019. In Bexar County, 17 individuals lost their lives from domestic violence related incidents, a 31% increase from 2019.
"Domestic violence rose everywhere in the United States last year, which is yet another grim reminder of the social conditions that have been exacerbated by COVID-19," Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. "That our tragedy is not unique does not make it less painful. We continue to make investments and build more robust systems to support people experiencing domestic violence to change this trend."
City officials also noted that in 2020 SAPD responded to over 62,000 calls for violence, a 15% increase over 2019. This year, calls received through September represent a 14% increase over 2020. SAPD has received 22,754 more calls for domestic violence this year than at the same time in 2019, and 18,770 compared to 2020.
"Domestic violence does not discriminate. It can affect men, women and children. It can leave lasting trauma to those who survive and those who support survivors," said City Manager Erik Walsh. "As the City of San Antonio, you have our ongoing commitment to invest in programs and services that prevent domestic violence. You also have our ongoing commitment to providing support and help for survivors and their families."
As part of the Fiscal Year 2022 Adopted Budget, the City invested more funding to continue addressing and preventing domestic violence in San Antonio. This investment of $3.1 million doubles the size of the Metro Health Crisis Response Team to support evening and weekend hours at all six police substations, invests in domestic violence case management, expands partnerships with external organizations and expands access to mental health services for children who witness violence in the home.
Also, a collaborative effort between San Antonio Police and Fire departments, Metro Health, Bexar County Sheriff's Office, Bexar County Probation, and community agencies has developed a Danger Assessment Group to use multiagency staffing for people identified as high risk for causing severe injury in a domestic violence case.
Meanwhile, the Collaborative Commission on Domestic Violence will host a free, virtual Domestic Violence Awareness Symposium October 28-29 that will feature 17 sessions to educate the community about innovations in responding to domestic violence.
The symposium begins at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, October 28, with remarks from Rosie Hidalgo McCabe, Senior Advisor on Gender-Based Violence and Special Assistant to the President, White House Gender Policy Council. To register, visit www.ccdv.org.
For anyone experiencing domestic violence, please call the City of San Antonio Domestic Violence Hotline at (210) 207-1878, Family Violence Prevention Services 24/7 Hotline at (210) 733-8810 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).